Some would say I'm a lucky girl, gifted with a privileged and glamorous life most could only dream of. Especially considering… well no one wants to hear about me. I'm not here to talk about me. I am a geisha now and that wouldn't change until my beauty had long since faded. After all, once an okiya takes you in, the only way to leave was to work off your mountain of debt from schooling, clothing, food, and board, or be bought by someone else who has enough money to pay your debt for you..

My days started around noon when whoever's turn it was to make breakfast gathered all the miko's to eat. We would cluster around the table to review our progress with our oka-san, oka Tsunade.

"Good. Ino, how are your acting lessons coming along?" the busty blond woman asked. Despite her age, she still managed to maintain her beauty.

"Better."

"Tenten, your dancing lessons?"

"Good," the tomboy brunette sighed.

"Sakura how about your flower arranging?"

The pink haired girl giggled.

"Hinata, have you been able to talk with the guests more?"

I bit my lip and shook my head.

She sighed. "You need to work harder to overcome your shyness. Men pay to come have fun with you not sit in silence."

"I-I'll work harder."

She went through and questioned each of us as we ate. Before we departed, she stood and said, "Alright girls, work hard at your lessons then check with your one-san's about what they want you to wear."

Lessons lasted until three o'clock then I walked with Tenten until we got to Kurenai-one-san. I found her bent over an ink painting in her sitting room. She was so confident and elegant, I could only hope to be as talented and soat after of a geisha as she was. She was so highly praised she paid off her debt in only three years.

"Hinata," she smiled as she looked up. "How were your lessons."

"Better, but my dancing still isn't quite up to par."

"Keep practicing. I'm sure you will do great at the Golden Samurai ceremony."

"G-Golden Samurai?"

His face immediately came to mind. Big blue eyes, sweet smile, and golden blond hair. Through our childhood he often bragged about how he would someday become the Golden Samurai. Though I knew I would never see him again.

"He will be here in roughly two weeks, then he will look through the selected miko to find his bride."

I swallowed nervously.

"He has men in town already, appraising your skills and beauty before he arrives. What kimono are you planning on wearing tonight?"

"P-perhaps the orange one," I said, he still occupied the forefront of my mind. "With a blue obi."

"An appropriate choice. You should run along. You only have four hours until the dressers arrive."

"Are you going to the tea house with me?"

"Of course. I will be there before you this evening."

I swallowed nervously. "Until then."

I returned to the okiya and proceed to my room. Tenten, my roommate and partner was waiting inside to help me get ready. She and I were rather close, having grown up in the same orphanage.

"Do you know what you're going to wear?" she asked.

"One-san said to wear the orange one."

"I'm wearing the yellow one."

We both fell silent as we began the task of painting our faces. When we were adding our hair pins, I dared to ask.

"Tenten, d-do you know much about the Golden Samurai ceremony?" I asked quietly.

"Of course. We've been talking about it in lessons for weeks. Select okiyas will be asked to showcase their miko in competition and the winner will be selected to be the his bride. Why do you ask?"

"I guess I'm just a little nervous."

"Don't be. You'll do great!"

It wasn't much longer before the dresser arrived and helped up into our kimonos. I then checked tonight's schedule and departed.

Everything looked so different at night. Paper lanterns cast a glow on the polished wooden buildings and unpaved walkways. Other geisha and maiko walked by me, silent, otherworldly figures. When I arrived at my destination, I was ushered by the owner of the house to the room Kurenai-one-san was waiting in. I bowed to the three men before I took my seat. I smiled shyly from behind mt fan. I could only watch and study how relaxed Kurenai-one-san was with the clients.

We only performed at three parties that night, and it was one of the few occasions that I was back in bed before the sun was fully in they sky.

AN/: yes I know this isn't exactly how real geisha's work, but real ninja didn't shoot fireballs. I'm not claiming this is historically accurate. If there is a feature of geisha culture you would like included let me know, but don't list everything that's wrong. Thank you